HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-07-26 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - Bikefill comments.From:Marcia Kaveney
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Bikefill comments.
Date:Tuesday, April 7, 2026 10:27:08 AM
Attachments:Bikefill comments. 4.7.26. MMK^.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Clerk-Please post this in the Bikefill comment folder and CC packet for tonight, 4.7.2026 meeting.
Thank you,Marcia
Dear City Commissioners, Mayor, and Deputy Mayor-
I am writing you today with comments about the Bikefill Bike Park Master Plan.
I hope you will see my comments as the constructive feedback they are intended. I am not
against mountain biking and have enjoyed it myself on many occasions. However, over the
past three months, since this plan was revealed to the public, I see many issues that I wish
would be discussed and preferably resolved.
I am currently out of state for a family emergency so will not be attending the meeting
tonight but am taking a few minutes to list the issues that concern me and perhaps some of
the commission members.
Biker Desires vs Wildlife Needs:
1. The biking community has strong desires and a lot of financial backing to achieve their
desired results. But let’s not confuse desires with actual NEEDS. Wildlife has actual needs
to survive.
2. World Class Park- Must it be World-Class? It’s being sold as a park that will have
something for everyone but is that realistic or desirable.
Instead, how about a nice, mellow mountain biking area that respects the natural
landscape and wildlife corridors by staying out of them instead of hugging close to them
and crisscrossing through them? 50%+ of the survey respondents were interested in
wildlife. Birds need shielding and/or distance to be comfortable going about their business.
Also consider that “world class recreation” facilities bring second order consequences. We
may likely see large numbers of commuters because connecting this park to a
neighborhood that is NOT connected to the City trail system is a dead-end. There will likely
be future competitions bringing many non-locals to the area requiring more services, more
parking, and more new infrastructure in a location with limited accessibility no matter how
improved the roads are.
Sensitive Lands:
1. The sensitive lands interactive maps illustrate a desired 300 foot setback for both Churn
Creek and the unnamed creek to the north of Churn Creek. There is a concentration of
trails only 50 feet outside of both creek areas and in some areas at the most wooded
eastern sections of Churn Creek the trails are within the 50 feet set back. Park staX argue
this is better than what City code requires along watercourses except that this area is in the
Sensitive Lands Plan with strong management guidance and was earmarked for
codification. The trail must be relocated outside of the 300 total setback guidance per the
Sensitive Lands Plan (150 feet per side). The 2 creek crossings that fall within the sensitive
lands portion should also be removed as per the Sensitive Lands plan, thus leaving one
Churn Creek access. For wildlife distancing, the trail between the wetland and grassland
conservation areas would also be removed.
https://bzn-
community.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f9829c790a6947fea6893
ee9a911c98a
Water Use:
1. Tree requirements at the parking lots. Given the water shortage in town, this seems a
desirable location to think outside the box for water use on irrigation. I don’t believe
Snowfill has trees in their parking lot so it seems unnecessary at Bikefill. This is a good
place to use a variance/deviation from code. Use shade structures instead. If water is still
needed for native plantings, please capture that water seasonally oX the roofs of the
structures. There are many easy ways of doing this that do not involved using or building
wells or other sources of ground water.
Bird Surveys:
1. At the most recent Parks and Forest Advisory Board meeting, staX mentioned that Bird
Surveys will be done this year and into the future. But it is not included in the Master Plan. I
think it’s a mistake to not include it, as the Master Plan is the guiding narrative as well as
design and the bird surveys should be included in it. Otherwise, where will this policy live?
And who will enforce it if not in the Master Plan.
Public Engagement:
1. There has been no opportunity for the public to engage in a revision of or second draft of
the Bikefill Master Plan. And the public comment period before the Community
Development Board meeting was announced during the beginning of spring break,
eXectively limiting public input. It also appears that public comment was never to be taken
seriously as the concept plan was already used to raise millions of dollars by GVLT in
previous years. Public engagement may be required but, in this case, it gives the
appearance of being perfunctory.
Equity:
1. Mountain biking isn’t exactly the sport that comes to mind as something anyone can do
unlike general transportation biking where bike kitchens exist to give bikes to those who
can’t aXord them. My family has been fortunate to be able to aXord mountain biking, but
think about the expense, and who really gets to access it. Bikes typically cost $3000, plus
the helmet, shoes, pads, gloves, and bike rack.
2. Building a multimillion dollar road with taxpayer dollars to access a bike park that is not
readily aXordable for all seems weighted towards a highly influential special interest group-
the mountain biking community. Or is this road being funded by grants? And if so, could
they have served a larger portion of the public somewhere else?
3. As I understand it, the multimodal trail to be built will connect to the nearest
neighborhood, Bridger Creek HOA, which is further divided in half by Bridger Creek itself.
The multimodal path will end at the neighborhood. But this section of the neighborhood is
cut oX from the rest of the City by the golf course, creek, and narrow bridge. How will
people access Bikefill between the golf course and Story Mill Rd – south of the bridge?
Thank you for considering my comments. I wish there had been more opportunity for the
public to help shape the Bikefill Master Plan. Please consider adopting this Master Plan
with amendments that address my concerns above.
Sincerely,
Marcia Kaveney